Theatre of Cruelty
Theatre of cruelty Introduction
The theatre of cruelty is a form of theatre invented by Antonin Artaud, a very well known theatre practitioner. The theatre of cruelty is defined as, by the dictionary, “a type of theatre advocated by Antonin Artaud in Le Théâtre et son double that seeks to communicate to its audience a sense of pain, suffering, and evil, using gesture, movement, sound, and symbolism rather than language”.
To break it down even further, the theatre of cruelty is one of many forms of theatre that incorporates the use of surrealism, juxtapositions and lots and lots of symbolism, rather than in usual forms of theatre where words and storylines are the so-called norm or the framework of the plays.
As you might have foretold by the name of this form of theatre, the theatre of cruelty is often seen as a way to portray the very dark or, in a sense, evil types of theatre. This form of theatre isn’t one that is usually widely practiced all over the world, as it is known to be extremely, excruciatingly cruel on the actor. It is, therefore, named to be, the Theatre Of Cruelty.
Development and why he founded it:
Antonin Artaud invented the theater of cruelty partly because of the surrealist movement. he founded the theater of cruelty in 1935 in which terror and pain were the most vital and crucial parts of the concept of theater of cruelty. The most important part of the production, to Artaud, was the audience. He needed to make sure that the audience would be captivated and shocked with the performance at all times, which, if they were, would prove a success to making a theatre of cruelty.
Antonin Artaud Antoine Marie Joseph Artaud was born on 4th September 1896 in Marseille, France. He was diagnosed with meningitis when he was five and was believed to be a cause of his psychological problems later in life.
Antonin Artaud very strongly believed that theatre could put people back in touch with natural instincts lost through suppression of
The theatre of cruelty is a form of theatre invented by Antonin Artaud, a very well known theatre practitioner. The theatre of cruelty is defined as, by the dictionary, “a type of theatre advocated by Antonin Artaud in Le Théâtre et son double that seeks to communicate to its audience a sense of pain, suffering, and evil, using gesture, movement, sound, and symbolism rather than language”.
To break it down even further, the theatre of cruelty is one of many forms of theatre that incorporates the use of surrealism, juxtapositions and lots and lots of symbolism, rather than in usual forms of theatre where words and storylines are the so-called norm or the framework of the plays.
As you might have foretold by the name of this form of theatre, the theatre of cruelty is often seen as a way to portray the very dark or, in a sense, evil types of theatre. This form of theatre isn’t one that is usually widely practiced all over the world, as it is known to be extremely, excruciatingly cruel on the actor. It is, therefore, named to be, the Theatre Of Cruelty.
Development and why he founded it:
Antonin Artaud invented the theater of cruelty partly because of the surrealist movement. he founded the theater of cruelty in 1935 in which terror and pain were the most vital and crucial parts of the concept of theater of cruelty. The most important part of the production, to Artaud, was the audience. He needed to make sure that the audience would be captivated and shocked with the performance at all times, which, if they were, would prove a success to making a theatre of cruelty.
Antonin Artaud Antoine Marie Joseph Artaud was born on 4th September 1896 in Marseille, France. He was diagnosed with meningitis when he was five and was believed to be a cause of his psychological problems later in life.
Antonin Artaud very strongly believed that theatre could put people back in touch with natural instincts lost through suppression of
Bibliography: "Antonin Artaud and the âTheatre of Crueltyâ." Antonin Artaud and the âTheatre of Crueltyâ. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. "Antonin Artaud." : The Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. The Free Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "The Theatre of Cruelty." Squidoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "Theatre of Cruelty, Notes on." Theatre of Cruelty, Notes on. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "Antonin Artaud and the âTheatre of Crueltyâ." Antonin Artaud and the âTheatre of Crueltyâ. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Chadderton, David. "Antonin Artaud." The Theatre Makers: How Seven Great Artists Shaped the Modern Theatre. Abergele, U.K.: Studymates, 2008. N. pag. Print.